Pasteurizer.



C. H. LOEW. rAsTEum'zER. APPLICATION FILED JAN.21`I9I4.

Patented*Y Feb. 13,191.7.

3 SHEETS-SHEET. l-

Attiv uw. QN QN N c. H. LoEw. PASTEURIZER. APPLICATION FILED IAN. 2|. I9I4.

H .NM

C. H. LOEW.

PASTEURIZER.

APPLICATION FILED I/IN.2Il I9I4.

1,21 5,561 l Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

CHARLES n. Louw, or LAKEWOOD, omo.

PASTEURIZER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led January 21, 1914. Serial No. 813,413.

' To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. Louw, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lakewood, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements' in Pasteurizers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the pasteurization of milk in bottles and its novelty consists in the construction and adaptation of the parts of the device used to effectuate the purpose and the manner and mode by` which it is accomplished.-

The pasteurization of milk is now for commercial purposes usually accomplished in bulk by placing the milk in large containers holding many gallons in which it A'is heated gradually to about 140 or 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintained at that temperature for thirty or forty minutes. After this it is gradually cooled to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit and filled into the trade packages. The time taken in bringing the mass of liquid tol the proper teni-- perature is about thirty minutes, the' time of pasteurization is about the `same and the cooling time a little shorter possibly, so at any rate over an hours time is consumed in-treating the milk in this way. During .this process certain units of heat are lost in attaining the desired tempera.- ture andr in the same way certainunits. of cold (if such an expression may be used) are lost in subsequently reducing the temperature. The bottles are usually warm when the milk is put into them and this in- 'jures the milk which vis cold. If the bottles are first cooled it costs time and labor. After pasturization the milk is subject to contamination from contact with the air land thel bottles. The closing caps are not i sterilized and afford another source of contamination. .The devices for transferring the milk to the bottles` afford yet another source and nomatter how much care is taken the milk is subject to germ infection from the time thetemperature in the tanks begins to be lowered until it reaches the consumer. .5

lBy means of my invention most of the.'

while in the containers out' of contact with the air and thus pasteurizing it, cooling it Patented Feb. 13,1917.

while in the same containers and delivering it to the' consumer without contaminating contact with anything and at the same time by an exchange of heat energy saving time, labor and money.

' In the drawings there is illustrated an apparatus adapted to be used .in carrying out the invention. Figure 1 is a top plan view with parts broken away to show con` cealed parts; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan ofthe lower compartments on a smaller scale; Fig. 3 is a similar plan of the upper compartments; Fig. 4:. is a side elevation with parts broken away to show concealed parts;- Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the lower compartments; Fig. 6 is `a side elevation; Fig. 7 is a plan of the multiple bottle protector, and Fig. 8 is a section thereof; Fig. 9 illustrates the single bottle protectorand Fig. 1'0 is a. section of one' of the bottle boxes.

In the drawings, 10 is a frame of steel or other suitable material, preferably longer than wide,.of a height exceeding its width,

open at each end and closed'at the top and a train of gearing indicated at 14 andderiving its movement from a suitable motor indicated at l5. There is a take l up device of usual form indicated at 16. The conveyer is illustrated as an `endless conveyer the operative stretch of which passes through the treating chamber and the return stretch of which passes beneath the bottom of the frame, but it will be understood that any kind of conveyer moved at 'a suitable speed in any usual way and adapted for the stated purpose may be employed.v

loo

The frame 10 is provided with a perfo? rated ceiling indicated at 17 and the space between it and the top of theframe is divided by suitable partitions 1 8 into transverse com-4 partments 20 and 30 connected by a longitudinal trough 21; 22 and 32 connectedbya troughv 23; 24 and 34 connected by a trough 25, a central compartment 26 and a lateral 119 compartment 27. In a similar way the bottom of the frame is divided by suitable partitions 19 into transverse compartments 200 and 300 connected by a longitudinal trough 210; 220 and 320 connected by a trough 230; 240 and 340 connected by a trough 250, a

central compartment 260, and a lateral compartment 27 O containing refrigerating means indicated at 28.

A power driven pump 211 transfers the contents of the lower compartments 200 and BOOthrough a conduit 212 to the upper compartments 20 and 30; a second pump 231 transfers the contents of the compartments 220 and 320 through a conduitl 232 to the compartments 22 and 32; a third pump 251 transfers the contents of the compartments 240 and 340 through a conduit 252 to the compartments 24 and 34; a fourth pump 261 transfers the contents of the compartment 260 through a conduit 262 to the compartment 26, and a ifth pump 271 transfers the contents of the compartment 27 0 through a conduit 272l to the compartment 27.

'lhe bottles 40 containing the milk to be pasteurized are placed in shipping cases or boxes 4l open at the top and perforated at the bottom and provided, if desired, with shelving or partitions indicated at 42 and with hand holes 43. Each ,ase is provided with a multiple protecting cover 44 which fits over the series of bottles in each case.

This comprises a series of covers each pro` vided with an upper surface 45 impervious to water and with a dependent annular flange 46 adapted to shed the water. `The covers are united by suitable ligaments 47 to form a multiple whole leaving spaces 48 between the covers. Individual covers 49 without the ligaments may be employed if the bottles are insufficient in any instance to ll a case.

'l he apparatus is likewise provided with steam pipes for heating the contents of the various compartments where they are intended to be raised above a normal temperature, overflow pipes, air pipes, thermostats and other appliances and appurtenances usual to the art. These are not shown in the drawings in order not to confuse the description. Their particular application and adaptation can readily be comprehended by one skilled in the art.

In general, it will be understood thatv water at various temperatures is delivered to the upper series of compartments, that it is discharged in showers through the perforated ceiling 17 and after contacting with the milkbottles descends to the lower compartments whence it is pumped up to the upper compartments and used again. The temperature of the water in" the compartments 20 and. 30 is about (S0 degrees Fahrenheit; that of the water in the compartments 22 and 32 is about 100 degrees, that of the water in the compartments 24 and 34 about 130 degrees, and that of the water in the compartments 26 and 260 about 140 degrees, or a suitable pasteurizing temperature. The temperature of the water in the compartments 27 and 270 is from 40 to 45 degrees.

- In the operation of the device the length of the compartments such relative to the size of the apparatus and a preferred speed of the conveyer that the bottles will take six minutes in passing beneath the compartment 20,; 2.15 minutes in passing beneath the compartment 22 21- minutes in passing beneath the con'lpartment 24, 55 minutes in passing beneath the compartment 26, 2. minutes beneath the comlnirtmcnt 34, and the compartment 32; 7 minutes beneath the compartment 3() and l5 minutes beneath the compartment 27. In other words, the water descending in showers forms three heating zones, a pasteurizing zone, three coolingr zones, and a refrigerating zolle. It will be understood that variations may be made in the number of zones and their teuu'mratures within reasonable limits without departing from thc principles of the invention.

In using the apparatus, water is supplied to the diH'erent compartments at the proper temperatures` these temperatures being controlled by thermo-stats where it is deemed desirable. The'water falls in showers establishing the different zones. The curtains of relatively cold water at the terminal zones prevent the escape of steam from the innermost zone. The pumps are then started and the circulation established. The cases filled with milk bottles are then placed upon the conveyer in vertical rows at the feeding end of the apparatus, and the conveyer is started. AS the cases pass within the apparatus addi tional cases are added, until in the course of the movement of the conveyer the device is entirely filled and the first rows of cases appear at the discharge end of the conveyer. Here -skids with rollers are placed closely adjacent to the conveyer and the cases auto: matically lea-ve the apparatus moving to any direction and extent which the skids may permit.

The protectors above the bottles prevent the caps or other sealing devices on the bot# tles from becoming unduly moistened with the falling water, while they permit access of the water to each bottle on all sides.

Where pasteurization is sought to be accomplised by immersion in a. body of water paper caps cannot be used while they may freely be employed with the described process.

Several matters should Abe noted in connection with the invention. The process of pasteurizing can begin as soon as the milk is delivered at the dairy. There-is no need of waiting until a large mass'of milk has been accumulated in order t0 economically employ a relatively large tank. Thus much time is saved and it is important that the milk should reach the consumer as soon as possible. The cooling compartments being connected to the heating compartments the heat units taken from the pasteurized milk in cooling serve to gradually heat the milk before its introduction to the pasteurizing zone. The expense of heating and cooling is thus reduced to a minimum. The bottles may be used at once after coming from the washing machine when they are usually warm and their heat can be utilized, whereas when milk is pasteurized in bulk the milk not being bottled until it is cold, the bottles must be cooled. The milk is not touched by anyone or contaminated by contact with any person or thing after it reaches the apparatus until it reaches the consumer. A ny germs present in the milk' from previous contact with workmen, utensils or other things, are destroyed while it is passing through the apparatus. The bottles and their caps or other closures are pasteurized as well as their contents. Considerable room is gained because the milk does not have to be accumulated to'be pasteurized in bulk. The labor and expense of cleaning pasteurizing tank is eliminated. The keeping qual.

ities of the milk are improved, and its bacteriological count is reduced as compared with milk pasteurized in bulk.

What I claim is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle, and means for establishing therein a series of zones of falling water of different temperatures, said zones arranged in communicating pairs, a central zone being of a pasteurizing temperature, and the zones on one side of the central zone progressively increasing 'in temperature and on thc other side of the central zone progressively decreasing in temperature.`

2. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle, and means for establishing therein a series of zones of falling water of diii'erent temperatures, a central zone being of a pasteurizing temperature, and the zones on one side of the central zone progressively increasing in temperature and on the other side of the central zone progressively decreasing vin temperature, such means includinga series of chambers arranged at the upper part of the receptacle, with foraminous bottoms to permit of the discharge of the water, the chambers progressively placed in communicating pairs with respect to the. central chamber.

3. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle, and means'for establishing therein a series of-.zones of falling water of different temperatures, a central zone beingl of a pasteurizing temperature, and the kzones .on one side of the cen-A' tral zone progressively increasing in temperature and on the other s1de of the central zone progressively decreasing in tempera-l ture, such means including a series of chambers arranged at the upper part of the receptacle, with foraminous bottoms to permit ofthe discharge of the water, the chambers progressively placed in communicating pairs With respect to the central chamber, and a progressively decreasing in temperature,

such means including a series of chambers arranged at the upper part of the receptacle, with foraminous bottoms to permit of the discharge of the water, the chambers progressively placed in communicating pairs with respect to the central chamber, and a similar series of chambers arranged at the lower part of the receptacle, and a series of lifting devices whereby the water descending from a communicating pair of upper chambers to a similar communicatingl pair of lower chambers is transferred from such lower chambers to such upper'chambers.

5. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle with open ends, a moving conveyer adapted to pass through the same, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the convcyer, a similar series of -water collecting tanks arranged beneath 'the conveyer, each tank in both series being separated from its neighbor by a partition impervious to water, each series including a central tank larger than the others, and all of the other tanks lin each series being a-rranged in communicating pairs.

6. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moving conveyer adapted to pass through the same,

a series of spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer, a similar series of water collecting tanks arranged beneath the conveyer,

each tank in both series being separated from its neighbor-by a partition impervious to water, each series including a central tank larger-@han the others, and all of the other tanks 1n each series being arranged in communicating pairs, one of each pair being on opposite sides of the central tank;

Y different temperatures to the upper series ofl rated from its neighbor by a partition impervious to water, each series including a central tank larger than the others, and all ot' the other tanks in each series being arranged in connnunicating pairs, one of each pair being on opposite sides ot' the central tank, and means for transferring water from ,the central tank and each pair of tanks of the lower series to the central tank and each corresponding pair of tanks oi' the upper series.

8,. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moving eonveyer adapted to pass through the same, a series oi spraying tanks arranged above the court-yer. a similar series ot' water collecting tanks arranged beneath the conveyor, each tank in both series being separated from its neighbor by a partition inipervious to water, each series including a central tank larger than the others, and all ot' the other tanks in each series being arranged in conununicating pairs, one of each pair being ou opposite sides ot' the central tank` and means 'for transferring water from the central tank and each pair ot' tanks of the lower series to the central tank and each correspoiuling pair ot' tanks of the upper series including pumps.

9. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moving conveyer adapted to pass through'the same, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer, a similar series of water col` lecting tanks arranged beneath the conveyor, each tank in -both series being separated from its neighbor by a partition impervious to water, each series including a. central tank larger than the others, and all of the other tanks in each series being arranged in conimunicating pairs, one of each pair being on opposite sides of the central tank, and means for transferring water-from the eentral tank and each pair of tanks of the lower series to the central tank and each corresponding pair of tanks of the upper series including pumps, one for each lower and upper pair of tanks, and Aone for the central lower and upper tanks.l

10. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moving conveyer adapted to pass through the same, a series ot' spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer, a similar series of water collecting tanks arranged beneath the conveyer, meh tank in both series being separated from its neighbor by a partition impervious to water, and means for supplying Water at tanks, the temperature of the Water supplied tothe tanks at the ends of the conveyer loeing lower than that supplied to the tank or ta/nks at the middle ofthe conveyer, and thel temperature of the water supplied to the intermediate tanks progressively increasing in temperature from the ends toward the middle, all of the tanks except the central one being arranged in communicating pairs.

11. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moving conveyer adapted to pass through the same, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer, a similar series of water collecting tanks arranged beneath the conveyer, each tank in both series being separated from its neighbor by a partition impervious to water, each series including a central tank larger than the others, and all of the other tanks in each series being arranged in communicating pairs, and meansffor supplying water at a pasteurizing temperature to the central upper tank.

12. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moving conveyer adapted t0 pass through the same, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the -eonveye1.', a similar seriesv of Water collecting tanks arranged beneath the conveyer, each tank in both series being separated lroin its neighbor by a partition impervious to water, cach series including a central tank larger than the others, and all ot the other tanks in each series being arranged in communicating pairs, and means for supplying Water at a pasteurizing temperature to the centralupper tank and water at progressively decreasing temperaturcs to the tanks on each side of it.

13. An apparatus for -pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moving eonveyer adapted to pass through the saine, a series ot spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer, a similar series of water co1- lecting tanks arranged beneath the .conveyer, each tank in both series being separated from its neighbor by a partition impervious to water, each series including a central tank larger than the others, and all of the other tanks in each series being arranged in eonnnunieating pairs, and means for supplying water at a lpasteurizing temperature to the central upper tank and water at a progressively increasing temperature to the tanks on one side of it and at a progressively decreasing temperature to the tanks on the other side of it.

14. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moi-'ing conveyer adapted to pass through the same, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the conreyer, a similar series of water collecting tanks arranged beneath the conveyer, each tank in both series being separated from its neighbor byV a partition impervious to water, each series including a" central tank largerl than the others, and all of the other tanks in each series being arranged in communicating pairs, and means for supplying Water at a pasteurizing temperature to the central upper tank and Water at progressively decreasing temperatures to the communicating pairs of tanks 'on each side of it. A v

15. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a moving conveyer adapted to passthrough the same, a series of Spraying tanks, arranged above the conveyer, a similar series of water collecting tanks arranged beneath the conveyer, each tank in both series being separated from its neighbor by a partition impervious l. Ato water, each series mcludlng a central tank larger than the others, and all of the other tanks in each series being arranged in comm'unlcating pairs, means for supplving water at a pasteurizlng temperature to the central upper tank and -water at progressively decreasing temperatures to the communicating pairs of tanks on each side of it, and means for transferring water from the central tank and each pair of tanks of the lower series to the central tank and each corresponding pair of tanks of the upper supplying water to itat a pasteurizingtemperature, a pair of tanks one on -each side of the central tank, a communicating C conduit between the pair of tanks and means for supplying water to the pair of tanks-at a temperature of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

17. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a conveyer adapted to move through the .same romend to end, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer consisting of a central tank and means for supplying water to it at apasteurizing temperature, a pair of tanks one-on each side of the central tank, a communicating conduit between the pair of .tanks and means for supplying 'water to the pair of tanks at a temperature of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, a .second pair of tanks beyond the first pair, a communicatin'g conduit between them and means for supplying water to them at a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

18. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, va c onveyer adapted to move through the same from end to end, a series of spraying tanks arranged above thexconveyer consisting of a central tank and means for' supplying water to it ata pasteurizing'tem. erature, a pair of tanksone on each side of he central tank, a communicating conduit between the pair )of tanks and means forsupplying water to the pair of tanks ata temperature of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, a second pair of tanks beyond the rst pair, a conununicating conduit between them and means for sup-v plying water to them at a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a third pair of tanks beyond the second pair, a communicating' 'conduit between them and' means for supplying water to them at a temperature of about 60)degrees Fahrenheit.

19. An apparatus for pastcurizing milk y A .in bottles comprising a receptacle,v a conveyer adapted to move through the same from end to end, a seriesl of spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer consisting of a central tank and means for supplying water to it at a pasteurizing temperature, a pair of tanks one on each side of the central tank, a communicating conduit between the pair of tanks andmeans for supplying water to the pair of tanks atia temperature of about 130degrees Fahrenheit, a second pair ot tanks beyond the first pair,'acommunicat ing'conduit between them andymeans for supplying water ,to .them at a' temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit,I `a third pair of tanks beyond the second p air, a communicating conduit between them and means for supplying water to them at -a temperalture of about 6() degrees Fahrenheit, and a tank on the discharge sidel ofone memberl of the third pair and means for supplying it with water at a temperaturelower than 60 degrees'Fahrenheit. Y c

20. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a conveyerl adapted to move through thev same from end to end, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer consisting of a central tank and means for supplying water to it at a pasteurizing temperature, a pair of ltanks one on eachy side of the central tank, a communicating conduit between the pair of tanks, partitions Vimpervious to water between the central tank and the pair of tanks, and means for supplying water to the pair of tanks at a temperature of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. A

21. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a conveyer adapted to move through the same from end to end, a series of spraying tanks arranged 'above the conveyer consisting of a central tank and means for supplying water to it at a pasteurizing temperature, a pair of tanks one on each side of the central tank, a communicating conduit between the pair of tanks and means for supplying water to the pair of'tanks at a temperature of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, a series of tanks arrangedl below the conveyer consisting of a 22. An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in 1130 bottles comprising a receptacle, a conveyer adapted to move through the same from end to end, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer consisting of a central tank and means for supplying water to it at a pasteurizing temperature, a pair of tanks one on each side of the'central tank, a communicating conduit between the pair of tanks and means for supplying water to the pair of tanks at a temperature of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, a series otl tanks arranged below the conveyer consisting of a central tank adapted to receive the water vfalling from the upper central tank and a pair oi tanks one on each side of such central lower tank, and adapted to receive the water falling from the pair of upper tanks and a communicating conduit between the pair! of lower. tanks.

An apparatus for pasteurizing milk in bottles -comprising a receptacle, a conreyer adapted to move through the same, a series ot spraying tanks arranged above the conveyer consisting of a central tank and means for supplying water to it at a pasteurizing temperature, a pair of tanks one on each side of the central tank, a communicating conduit between the pair of tanks and means for supplying water to the pair of tanks at a temperature of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, a second pair of tanks beyond the irst pair, a communicating conduit between them and meansv for supplying water to them at a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a series of tanks arranged below the conveyer consisting of a central tank adapted to receive the water falling from the upper central tank `and a pair of tanks one on each side of such central lower tank, and adapted to receive the water falling from the pair of upper tanks, and means for supplying water at a pasteurizing temperature to the central upper tank, and a communicating conduit between each pair of lower tanks.

24. An appa. 'atus for pasteurizing milk in bottles comprising a receptacle, a conveyer adapted to more through the same, a series of spraying tanks arranged above the convVeyer consisting of a central tank and means for supplying water to it at a pasteurizing temperature, ay pair of tanks one on each side of the central tank, a colnlnunicating conduit between the pair of tanks and means for supplying water to the pair of tanks at a temperature ot' about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, a second pair of tanks beyond the first pair, a communicating conduit between them and means for supplying wat/er to them at a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a series of tanks arranged below the conreyer consisting of a central tank adapted to receive the water falling from the upper central tank and a pair of tanks one on each side of such central lower tank,and4

adapted to receive the water falling from the pair of upper tanks, and means for supplying water at a pasteurizing temperature to the central upper tank, and a communicating conduit between each pair of lower tanks, and meansl tor transferring the water from the lower central tank to the upper central tank, and from the first pair of lower tanks to the first pair of upper tanks and from the second pair of lower tanks to the second pair of upper tanks.

ln testimony whereof` I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. LOEW. Witnesses:

ALDA L. MILLER, HELEN V. FITZPATRICK. 

